Generations of Londoners have flocked to Brighton for sun, sea and sand. Above, the Brighton Pier. Photo: © Martinturzak
Less than an hour from central London by the fastest trains, Brighton makes a perfect escape from the English capital. Tim Locke, author of the Bradt Guide Slow Sussex and the South Downs, describes Brighton as “exuberant, quirky and even outrageous.” Brighton is the nearest point on the Sussex coast to the capital and generations » Read more
"Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait." Photo: photokitty07
The quality drinking water in Paris is a precious resource that makes buying the plastic bottled variety a waste of funds, not to mention an obviously harmful gesture for the planet. The good news is that municipal Paris water tastes good. And it’s safe, free and widely available to locals and tourists alike. Drinking in » Read more
Not content to offer its citizens and guests mere free, clean, delicious tap water from the city’s 820 water fountains, Eau de Paris, the publicly funded organization that manages and promotes the city’s water, has introduced its third sparkling water fountain at the André Citroën park in the 15th arrondissement, offering complimentary chilled sparkling city » Read more
Hot on the streets of Paris? The catacombs offer a descent into a distinctly chillier place. Photo: seangraham
We’ve already given you some ideas on how to stay cool outdoors when Paris heats up. But when Paris on fire and you need a break from the stifling weather, sometimes it’s hard to know where to seek refuge in a town where the temperatures are usually mild enough to make air conditioning optional. Here » Read more
The Miniatur Wunderland looks so much fun, you'll wish you were an inch tall. Photo: FouPic
It’s a rare but awesome occurrence when you discover something as an adult that pulls you back into a childlike state of awe, curiosity and wonder. If you’re alone, you wish you had another set of eyes to share the experience with, pointing out this and dragging over to that—someone else to bear witness to » Read more
The museum is marked by a large sign befitting the ship's size.
There are museums for adults and there are museums for children. And then there are museums that manage to ensnare the interest of adults and children alike. Northern Ireland’s Titanic Belfast is in this rarefied category. The museum provides information about the Titanic itself, the Belfast shipyards where it was built, and, more impressive yet, » Read more
Advances in transportation and communications technology have smoothed over many global differences, but real, eye-opening travel is still there—if you seek it out.
Living on a continent with 50 nation states and territories creates enough politics, enough sport and enough by way of current affairs to keep most Europeans entertained from dawn till dusk. No surprise, then, that many Europeans develop a certain geographical myopia. Look beyond the capital cities and — particularly as you move away from » Read more
Many boulangeries close their doors in August. Photo: Darya Mead
Those who dare to visit the city of Paris in August, that infamous month when Parisians do their holy best to get out of town, have likely been confronted by a shuttered restaurant or shop with an unapologetic note on the door saying that they will be back in September and expect to see you » Read more
"Boris Bikes" are a cheap and convenient way to see London. Photo: David Holt London.
London had its first RideLondon cycling festival last weekend, seeing over 70,000 cyclists, professional and amateur, take to the roads on a 100-mile circuit between London and Surrey. The success of the festival, followed by the announcement that it will become an annual event, cemented the fact that cycling in London is going from strength » Read more
The Lucille Lortel is one of the many Off-Broadway theaters that offer great shows at great prices. Photo: somethingstartedcrazy.
A few aficionados may quibble on London’s West End, but ask most people in the know and you’ll quickly discover that New York City is the world center for theater. Stand in Times Square on any Friday night and there are literally hundreds of performances taking place on stages in every direction. That’s why no » Read more
Sleek and speedy, Thalys is one of the premium train services in Europe. Photo: HiddenEurope
In Belgium, Thalys is one of the strongest rail brands. With their bold red styling and chic contours, Thalys trains make a very visible addition to the national railscape. But Thalys also serves three other countries: the Netherlands, France and Germany. Thalys is one of those quintessential European brands — very grounded and yet very » Read more
You're gonna want to be as close to this view as possible.
Depending on your concept of “cold,” the Mediterranean that splashes up on Barcelona shores is swimmable from May-October. I’ve rarely swum in May, because I feel the water is still too chilly, even though the sun is shining. For many years, I’ve had my last swim of the season around October 10th. As the weather » Read more
Professional pedicures are finally affordable and easy to find in Paris! Photo: maza34.
The first thing many American women notice when they land in Paris is the dearth of affordable nail salons on every corner like you might find in NYC or Los Angeles. French magazines and bloggers have long extolled the joys of the American nail salon and the affordable stateside luxury that is the mani-pedi. But » Read more
Do you really think these "gifts" aren't included in your room rates? Photo: garybembridge.
D’you know who sneaked into my stateroom at three o’clock this morning? … Nobody, and that’s my complaint! – Groucho Marx, Monkey Business Apparently Groucho was alluding to the lack of some “unclassified” amenity in that film scene. But all jokes aside, travelers often give an exaggerated sense of importance to certain amenities in the » Read more
Touring Paris. Photo: Dennis Jarvis
Looking for a free guided tour of some untouristy corner of Paris and a way to actually meet a local other than a shopkeeper or a waiter? Part of the Global Greeter Network, Paris Greeters is an all-volunteer organization made up of outgoing tour guides who are passionate about their neighborhoods and anxious to share » Read more
Find out how to save money on tickets to Broadway shows. Photo: Sudan Ouyang
You’re headed to New York and heard all about that spectacular show with huge stars on Broadway. Figuring no trip to New York is truly complete without a trip to the theater — and you’d be right about that — you rush online to buy tickets, pull up the prices and — boom! — get » Read more
Ready for some gelato? Photos by Regina W Bryan
I mentioned in a previous post that I am trying to lose weight, which means eating less ice cream and going to the gym. Luckily for me, I’ve got nature and the season on my side. Barcelona in the summer is hot. And humid. And though this year has been colder than others, it’s 86°F » Read more
Les Berges, the new cultural and recreational space along the Seine, offers a range of activities for all ages. Photo: paris.fr
The banks of the Seine river in Paris are a listed World Heritage site. In June, a month before Paris Plages set up shop in two locations along the river, the city returned a once car-clogged stretch of picturesque Left Bank riverside land to pedestrians. “Les Berges,” the more than three-year, 35 million ($47 million) » Read more
The entry hall of the Wittenbergplatz U-Bahn station is a wonderful piece of art nouveau design. Photo: Rae Allen
Berlin’s two local rail networks (respectively called the S-Bahn and U-Bahn) are more than merely functional ways of getting around the city. They are destinations in their own right and — as Baedeker might have put it — certainly worth a detour. From art nouveau to art deco Swedish architect Alfred Grenander designed the showpiece » Read more
Don't forget to get your tax refund before heading home. Photo: Derek Key
One of the benefits of being a tourist is the 12% tax refund that is available to non EU-residents who plan on shopping while on vacation in Paris (and throughout most of Europe). There is a minimum purchase and a bit of paperwork to fill out, plus you will need to leave extra time at » Read more
Brixton Village Market is a lively spot to spend an evening. Photo: Nina Derham.
The sun is (just about) still shining on London town and the city is at its finest, so hit the streets and indulge in some affordable grub at London’s best outdoor food markets before the rain returns! While Borough Market and the South Bank Centre’s Real Food Market are worthy staples on most visitor’s list » Read more
Don't leave your iPhone out on your table in Paris. (Dramatic reenactment staged in EuroCheapo's office.)
More than half a million iPhones are stolen every year in Paris, and a majority of thefts on public transport, whether by pickpockets or more hands-on violent thieves, are targeted at iPhone owners. Here are some common sense tips about how to protect yourself before you leave for Paris, how to hamper a thief’s chances » Read more
Though not as imposing as Saint Stephen's, the Augustinian Church features an amazing mass, free to the public. Photo: Janko2008.
Cultured, classy and cosmopolitan, Vienna boasts of a history as distinguished as almost any other major European city: It has been an imperial capital, a home to some of the world’s great thinkers and a Mecca for classical music. Because of this illustrious past, prospective visitors might think that the largest city in Austria is » Read more
Let us show you how to kick this supermarket meal up a notch. Photo: Craig Wyzik
To save on eating out or combat restaurant/waiter fatigue in Paris, sometimes it’s nice to stay in and enjoy a simple meal in your room. But we have watched one too many tourists wander through the dreary aisles of a French supermarket scavenging like lost urban seagulls for industrially made scraps when all of Paris » Read more
"One man's trash is another man's treasure"... especially at a flea market. Photos by Regina W Bryan
Most of my friends were shocked to hear that in my eight years in Barcelona I’d never “done” the Encants flea market. I assured them that I had wanted to, but had just never found the time, or the urge, to dig through piles of used junk one early Saturday morning. My Encants flea market » Read more
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